Skip to main content

Creative Strategy Director

Job ID 10132762 Location New York, New York, United States Business ESPN Date posted Oct. 09, 2025
Apply Now

Job Summary:

The Director of Creative Strategy sits within ESPN Creative Studio and translates the bold vision of our Marketing team into clear, actionable creative across every platform. At the intersection of sports, culture and storytelling, this role ensures that marketing strategies are fully understood and powerfully executed by internal creative teams.

Reporting to the Vice President, Creative Development, you will work side by side with Creative Directors, Producers and leads from Animation, Design, Music, Editorial and Production to guide work that is on brand, on strategy, and resonates with fans.

This role is about making strategy actionable, removing ambiguity, and helping our teams bring high-impact creative to life across all platforms and mediums. It calls for a deep understanding of what powerful creative looks like, what unlocks it, and the judgment to steer teams toward it. The Director works in lockstep with Marketing to ensure briefs provide the clarity and direction needed to fuel insights and inspire high-impact work.

Responsibilities:

  • Translate Marketing’s strategic and creative briefs into clear, actionable guidance for ESPN Creative Studio teams.
  • Serve as a strategic connector between Marketing and Creative Studio, ensuring alignment on objectives, messaging, and tone.
  • Ensure the brief includes all necessary inputs to develop successful creative strategy, asking the right questions before the brief is finalized.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive “north-star” strategy translated through a creative framework, that is shared and followed by all stakeholders, ensuring strategic clarity.
  • Help tailor campaign strategy to specific platforms and creative formats, maintaining consistency while allowing for creative flexibility.
  • Partner with cross functional creative leads to support execution that reflects both ESPN’s brand and the strategic intent behind each campaign.
  • Participate in internal reviews to evaluate work against the brief and offer strategic feedback.
  • Elevate the quality and cohesion of creative output across disciplines by bringing clarity, focus, and collaboration to every project.
  • Track projects across platforms to ensure creative is aligned, effective, and consistent with ESPN’s brand voice and sports leadership.
  • Interpret and integrate consumer insights, research, and trend tracking to inform creative strategy and outputs.
  • Follow up on campaign performance, measure success against KPIs, and share learnings to improve future work.
  • Foster creative inspiration and kickoff moments, helping teams lift off ideas and stay aligned to strategic goals.

Required Qualifications:

  • Minimum 8 years of experience in brand strategy, creative strategy, or integrated marketing within a media, entertainment, or sports organization.
  • Proven ability to translate marketing strategy into actionable creative direction across multiple platforms.
  • Strong understanding of creative development processes across design, video, editorial, and social.
  • Experience working with cross-functional creative teams including producers, creative directors, designers and other strategy leads.
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Deep knowledge of brand voice, tone, and storytelling principles.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to synthesize audience insights and research into creative recommendations.
  • Experience with campaign planning and creative briefing.
  • A broad understanding of sports and culture.
  • Experience defining and tracking campaign KPIs and following up on performance results.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with consumer insights, trend tracking, and research integration into strategy
  • Experience working in or with sports media brands or live event marketing
  • Familiarity with ESPN’s brand, platforms, and audience
  • Experience supporting high-profile campaigns across broadcast, streaming, digital and social platforms
  • Background in creative direction, copywriting or content strategy
  • Experience with performance marketing or data-driven creative optimization
  • Understanding of emerging media formats and platform-specific creative best practices
  • Comfort navigating ambiguity and evolving priorities
  • Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Airtable, Asana, SmartSheet)
  • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Media Studies, or related field

Required Education:

  •  High School Diploma

Preferred Education:

  •  Bachelor’s Degree in marketing, broadcasting, communications, or closely related field.

#ESPNMedia


The hiring range for this position in New York, NY is $135,760 to $186,670 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Apply Now

About ESPN:

Working at ESPN is unlike anything else. That’s because we’re always finding new ways to interact with fans – however and wherever they connect with sports. Every day we’re doing things that no one has done, all in a dynamic culture where we defy odds and continuously outdo ourselves. When you have the latest technology, game-changing ideas and world-class talent on your team, every day is extraordinary.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with ESPN Productions, Inc, which is part of a business we call ESPN.

ESPN Productions, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

Having technical issues? View the FAQs for help.

Hiring Process

  • Where Does Your Story Begin?

    Explore Disney Careers and the Life at Disney blog to learn about all the amazing opportunities waiting to be discovered at The Walt Disney Company.

  • Be Part of the Story

    There are many different brands and businesses to explore. Once you've found the opportunity that is right for you, take the next step by completing your application.

  • The Next Chapter

    Once you've applied, you will receive an email allowing you to access your candidate dashboard. Create your login and make sure to check your dashboard often to see your application progress.

Explore this Location New York, NY

With a globally recognizable skyline and 8.4 million people who call it home, New York City is bursting with diversity and excitement – from iconic attractions to hidden gems waiting to be uncovered.

Related Jobs

OUR CULTURE

Related Content

  • Interview Support

    Our hiring teams use behavioral interviews to learn more about you because this style is designed to give us insight into how you’ve handled real-life work situations. When responding, tell your story with the STAR method.

    Learn more 

  • Interview Structure

    Behavioral interviews are designed to give employers insight into how you’ve handled real-life work situations

    Learn more 

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    At Disney, we are committed to creating a better world. A world of belonging where each person feels seen, heard, and understood. A world filled with hope and promise.

    Learn more 

  • Heroes Work Here

    Heroes Work Here reflects the long history of respect and appreciation Disney has for the U.S. Armed Services. We recognize the commitment and dedication it takes to serve your country, both as military personnel and military spouses, and value the leadership skills and sense of purpose it has instilled in you.

    Learn more 

Sign Up for Job Alerts

Get the latest job opportunities as they become available.

Watch Our Jobs

An asterisk indicates a required field.

Interested InSelect a job category from the list of options. Select a location from the list of options. Finally, click “Add” to create your job alert.

By clicking "Submit", you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge that you have read our Privacy Policy.

By clicking "Submit", you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge that you have read our Privacy Policy. If I have elected to receive marketing messages or newsletters, I may withdraw my consent for these marketing messages at any time.

By clicking "Submit", you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge that you have read our Privacy Policy, Cookies Policy and EU Privacy Rights.

How we use your personal information and your rights:

  1. Your personal information is controlled by The Walt Disney Company Limited of 3 Queen Caroline Street, London, W6 9PE, United Kingdom.
  2. When you visit or shop with Disney or use any Disney product, service or mobile application, other members of The Walt Disney Company Family of Companies may also use your information to provide you these services, personalise your experience and send you service related updates and communications.
  3. You have a number of rights including the right to request access to, change, or remove your personal information, or to change your marketing preferences (including withdrawing your consent at any time.) Please see our Privacy Policy to learn more about managing your marketing preferences or deleting your account.
  4. Our Data Protection Officer can be contacted by emailing: dataprotection@disney.co.uk.
  5. You have a right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office: https://ico.org.uk/.
  6. For more information about Disney's data collection and use practices please read Disney's Privacy Policy.

By clicking "Submit", you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge that you have read our Privacy Policy and Collection Statement.

For more information about our general data collection, use, and practices, including how to manage your preferences, please read our Privacy Policy. I have read and agree to the Terms of Use.